Fluid Filled Lenses and Mechanisms of Inflation Thereof

ABSTRACT

An actuator for a fluid-filled lens including a housing having a first and second end; a reservoir disposed within the housing is disclosed. In an embodiment, the actuator further includes a compression arm having a first end that is fixed at a pivot and a second end that is not fixed such that the compression arm flexes to compress the reservoir.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/000,887, filed Jun. 18, 2012, which is a National Stage of PCTapplication number PCT/US2010/052902, filed Oct. 15, 2010, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/904,720 filed Oct. 14,2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/251,819, filed Oct. 15, 2009, which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to fluid-filled lenses andin particular to variable fluid-filled lenses.

2. Background Art

Basic fluid lenses have been known since about 1958, as described inU.S. Pat. No. 2,836,101, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. More recent examples may be found in “DynamicallyReconfigurable Fluid Core Fluid Cladding Lens in a Microfluidic Channel”by Tang et al., Lab Chip, 2008, vol. 8, p. 395, and in WIPO publicationWO2008/063442, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. These applications of fluid lenses are directed towardsphotonics, digital phone and camera technology and microelectronics.

Fluid lenses have also been proposed for ophthalmic applications (see,e.g., U.S. Patent No. 7,085,065, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety). In all cases, the advantages of fluidlenses, such as a wide dynamic range, ability to provide adaptivecorrection, robustness, and low cost have to be balanced againstlimitations in aperture size, possibility of leakage, and consistency inperformance. The '065 patent, for example, has disclosed severalimprovements and embodiments directed towards effective containment ofthe fluid in the fluid lens to be used in ophthalmic applications,although not limited to them (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,208, whichis incorporated by reference in its entirety). Power adjustment in fluidlenses has been effected by injecting additional fluid into a lenscavity, by electrowetting, application of ultrasonic impulse, and byutilizing swelling forces in a cross-linked polymer upon introduction ofa swelling agent such as water.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In an embodiment, an actuator for a fluid-filled lens comprises: ahousing; a reservoir disposed within the housing; a compression armhaving a first end that is fixed and a second end that is not fixed,wherein the compression arm is disposed adjacent to the reservoir; andwherein the compression arm flexes to compress the reservoir.

Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention,as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of thepresent invention, are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate the present invention and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of theinvention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to makeand use the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a caliperactuator assembly.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of acaliper actuator assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first set of steps for assembling an embodiment ofa slider subassembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second set of steps for assembling an embodiment ofa slider subassembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates a set of steps for assembling an embodiment of atemple cover subassembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates a set of steps for assembling an embodiment of acompression arm subassembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates a first set of steps for assembling an embodiment ofa temple chassis subassembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second set of steps for assembling an embodiment ofa temple chassis subassembly.

FIG. 9 illustrates a set of steps for assembling an embodiment of atemple subassembly.

FIG. 10 illustrates a set of steps for assembling an embodiment of alens module subassembly.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment ofa caliper actuator assembly.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a caliper actuator assembly.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a caliper actuator assembly.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a caliper actuator assembly with aportion of the temple cover removed.

FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a caliper actuatorassembly.

FIG. 16 shows charts with data corresponding to breadboard actuatorperformance for an embodiment of a caliper actuator assembly.

FIG. 17 a illustrates an embodiment of a caliper actuator assembly.

FIG. 17 b illustrates an embodiment of a caliper actuator assembly.

FIG. 18 shows charts with data corresponding to breadboard actuatorperformance for embodiments of a caliper actuator assembly.

FIG. 19 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a roll andtranslate actuator assembly.

FIG. 19 b illustrates a top view of the roll and translate actuatorassembly of FIG. 19 a.

FIG. 19 c illustrates a side view of the roll and translate actuatorassembly of FIG. 19 a when compressed.

FIG. 20 a illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a roll andtranslate actuator assembly.

FIG. 20 b illustrates a top view of the roll and translate actuatorassembly of FIG. 20 a.

FIG. 20 c illustrates a side view of the roll and translate actuatorassembly of FIG. 20 a when compressed.

FIG. 21 a illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of areservoir.

FIG. 21 b illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a reservoir.

FIG. 21 c illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a reservoir whencompressed.

FIG. 22 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a rack and pinionactuator assembly.

FIG. 22 b illustrates a side view of the rack and pinion actuatorassembly of FIG. 22 a when compressed.

FIG. 23 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a rack and pinionactuator assembly.

FIG. 23 b illustrates a top view of the rack and pinion actuatorassembly of FIG. 23 a.

FIG. 22 c illustrates a side view of the rack and pinion actuatorassembly of FIG. 23 a when compressed.

FIG. 24 illustrates a front perspective exploded view of an embodimentof a rack and pinion actuator assembly.

FIG. 25 shows an embodiment of a rack and pinion actuator assembly.

FIG. 26 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a rack and pinionactuator assembly.

FIG. 27 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a screw actuatorassembly.

FIG. 27 b illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a screw actuatorassembly when compressed.

FIG. 28 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a rotationactuator assembly when partially compressed.

FIG. 28 b illustrates a view of an embodiment of the rotation actuatorassembly of FIG. 28 a along line A.

FIG. 29 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a slide andtranslate actuator assembly.

FIG. 29 b illustrates a front sectional view of an embodiment of a slideand translate actuator assembly.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, itshould be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. Aperson skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that otherconfigurations and arrangements can be used without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to aperson skilled in the pertinent art that this invention can also beemployed in a variety of other applications.

It is noted that references in the specification to “one embodiment,”“an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that theembodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesdo not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it would be within the loiowledge of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

Fluid lenses have important advantages over conventional means of visioncorrection, such as rigid lenses and contact lenses. First, fluid lensesare easily adjustable. Thus, a presbyope who requires an additionalpositive power correction to view near objects can be fitted with afluid lens of base power matching the distance prescription. The usercan then adjust the fluid lens to obtain additional positive powercorrection as needed to view objects at intermediate and otherdistances.

Second, fluid lenses can be adjusted continuously over a desired powerrange by the wearer. As a result, the wearer can adjust the power toprecisely match the refractive error for a particular object distance ina particular light environment. Thus, fluid lenses allow adjustment ofpower to compensate for alteration of the natural depth of focus of theeye that depends on the wearer's pupil size, which is in turn dependenton the ambient light level.

Third, although 20/20 vision, which corresponds to an image resolutionof 1 minute of arc ( 1/60 degree) is generally acknowledged to representan acceptable quality of vision, the human retina is capable of finerimage resolution. It is known that a healthy human retina is capable ofresolving 20 seconds of arc ( 1/300 degree). Corrective eyeglassesdesigned to enable a patient to achieve this superior level of visionhave a resolution of about 0.10D or better. This resolution can beachieved with continuously adjustable fluid lens elements.

In an embodiment of a fluid lens assembly, one or more fluid lenses maybe provided with its own actuation system, so that a lens for each eyecan be adjusted independently. This feature allows wearers, such asanisometropic patients, to correct any refractive error in each eyeseparately, so as to achieve appropriate correction in both eyes, whichcan result in better binocular vision and binocular summation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a caliper actuator assembly100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Caliperactuator assembly 100 includes temple cover 110, which includes a hollowouter portion and a hollow inner portion formed together to encloseadditional pieces of caliper actuator assembly 100. Distal end 160 oftemple cover 110 is shaped to fit over a wearer's ear. Caliper actuatorassembly 100 further includes temple chassis 120, wheel 130, and slider140. In an embodiment, wheel 130 and slider 140 are longitudinallyslidably disposed within temple chassis 120. Caliper actuator assembly100 operates to compress reservoir 150 and transfer fluid betweenreservoir 150 and a fluid lens (not shown). The compressing force may beapplied in various ways, such as for example, by rotating wheel 130 orby translating the wheel along a slot. Additional methods of applyingcompressing force are also described herein. The compression ofreservoir 150 may be effected either by compressing reservoir 150 in avertical or horizontal direction against a ceiling or inner wall oftemple chassis 120, as described in detail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an embodiment ofcaliper actuator assembly 100. In an embodiment, slider subassembly 295(described below with respect to FIGS. 3-4) is configured to translatealong one or more of temple cover 110 and temple chassis 120 in order tocompress reservoir 150. In operation, a user rotates wheel 130, whichmoves slider block 255, which in turn compresses a relatively stiffmetal plate, such as compression arm 270, that is in contact with afirst side surface 265 of reservoir 150. A second side surface (notshown) of reservoir 150 is placed against inner wall 285 of templechassis 120, a portion of temple cover 110, or any other suitablesurface. Slider 140 presses against compression arm 270, whichcompresses reservoir 150 in a controllable manner. In an embodiment, thelength of the lateral movement of wheel 130 is proportional to themagnitude of compression of the compression arm, and is proportional tothe magnitude of compression of the reservoir.

In an embodiment, wheel 130 has a knurled edge in order to providesecure contact with the finger of the user as well more precise controlover the translation of wheel 130.

Lens module 200 is connected via outlet port 245 to a connecting tube(not shown), which is connected to reservoir 150. Lens module 200 mayfurther include a flexible back surface provided by, for example, aflexible membrane (not shown) stretched flat over the edge of a rigidoptical lens. To change the optical power of fluid filled lens module200, the membrane may be inflated through the addition of a fluid fromreservoir 150.

The connecting tube delivers fluid from lens module 200 to reservoir 150and vice versa. The connecting tube is designed to be relativelyimpermeable to the fluid contained therein. In an embodiment, theconnecting tube is configured to allow a minimum flow rate at all timesin order to ensure a minimum speed of response to the user moving wheel130 in order to change the optical power of fluid filled lens module200. The connecting tube is connected at one end to outlet port 245 oflens module 200 and at the other end to reservoir 150. In an embodiment,the overall assembly including the lens module 200, the connecting tube,and reservoir 150 is designed to maintain a seal excluding fluids andair for an overall use period of two years or more. In an embodiment,the connecting tube is thin in order to be accommodated within a hingecavity. In an embodiment, it is less than 2.0 mm in outer diameter andless than 0.50 mm in wall thickness, in order to maintain an adequateflow of fluid. In an embodiment, it is capable of being bent by an angleof no less than 60 degrees. In an embodiment, it is capable of beingbent by an angle of no less than 45 degrees without crimping. In anembodiment, it is durable to repeated flexing of the hinge.

Hinge block 250 and spring 230 are enclosed within a covered areabetween inner block 210 and outer block 240. Additional embodiments ofthe hinge and spring are described in U.S. appl. Ser. No. 12/904,769.Caliper actuator assembly 100 includes wheel 130 held in place by axle280, slider 140, slider block 255, spacer block 290, and compression arm270. These parts are assembled into a temple chassis subassembly (whichis described further with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8) and are held inplace by screws 235. Rubber strip 205 includes a flexible surface uponwhich wheel 130 may move. In an embodiment, wheel 130 may rotate. Inanother embodiment it may translate, and in yet another embodiment itmay rotate and translate.

In an embodiment, slider 140 maintains reservoir 150 in its compressedstate as it moves away from distal end 160. As slider 140 is movedtowards distal end 160, the compressing force on reservoir 150 isreleased, and reservoir 150 springs back to its original shape,temporarily creating low pressure on the fluid, and thus pulling fluidback from lens module 200.

Materials

The pieces of the various actuator assemblies described herein, forexample, but not limited to, the temple cover, temple chassis, wheel,slider, spring, screws, inner block, outer block, axle, compression arm,spacer block, etc, may be manufactured through any suitable process,such as metal injection molding (MIM), cast, machining, plasticinjection molding, and the like. The choice of materials may be furtherinformed by the requirements of mechanical properties, temperaturesensitivity, optical properties such as dispersion, moldabilityproperties, or any other factor apparent to a person having ordinaryskill in the art.

The fluid used in the fluid lens may be a colorless fluid, however,other embodiments include fluid that is tinted, depending on theapplication, such as if the intended application is for sunglasses. Oneexample of fluid that may be used is manufactured by Dow Corning ofMidland, Mich., under the name “diffusion pump oil,” which is alsogenerally referred to as “silicone oil.”

The fluid lens may include a rigid optical lens made of glass, plastic,or any other suitable material. Other suitable materials include, forexample and without limitation, Diethylglycol bisallyl carbonate(DEG-BAC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and a proprietary polyureacomplex, trade name TRIVEX (PPG).

The fluid lens may include a membrane made of a flexible, transparent,water impermeable material, such as, for example and without limitation,clear and elastic polyolefins, polycycloaliphatics, polyethers,polyesters, polyimides and polyurethanes, for example, polyvinylidenechloride films, including commercially available films, such as thosemanufactured as MYLAR or SARAN. Other polymers suitable for use asmembrane materials include, for example and without limitation,polysulfones, polyurethanes, polythiourethanes, polyethyleneterephthalate, polymers of cycloolefms and aliphatic or alicyclicpolyethers.

The connecting tube may be made of one or more materials such as TYGON(polyvinyl chloride), PVDF (Polyvinyledene fluoride), and naturalrubber. For example, PVDF may be suitable based on its durability,permeability, and resistance to crimping.

The temple cover may be any suitable shape, and may be made of plastic,metal, or any other suitable material. In an embodiment, the templecover is made of a lightweight material such as, for example and withoutlimitation, high impact resistant plastics material, aluminum, titanium,or the like. In an embodiment, the temple cover may be made entirely orpartly of a transparent material.

The reservoir may be made of, for example and without limitation,Polyvinyledene Difluoride, such as Heat-shrink VITON®, supplied byDuPont Performance Elastomers LLC of Wilmington, Del., DERAY-KYF 190manufactured by DSG-CANUSA of Meckenheim, Germany (flexible), RW-175manufactured by Tyco Electronics Corp. of Berwyn, Pa. (formerly RaychemCorp.) (semirigid), or any other suitable material. Additionalembodiments of the reservoir are described in U.S. Appl. Ser. No.12/904,736.

Assembly

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate a set of steps for assembling an embodiment ofslider subassembly 295. Beginning with FIG. 3, axle 280 is first placedwithin hole 297 located in the center of wheel 130. Next, slider 140 isplaced onto axle 280 with slider tab 310 on the same side of slider 140as wheel 130. Next, slider 140 is laser welded to axle 280. The slidersubassembly continues with FIG. 4, which illustrates a second set ofsteps for assembling an embodiment of the slider subassembly. Sliderblock 255 is assembled to slider 140 by snapping and pressing varioustabs 410 protruding from slider block 255 into corresponding slots 420located in slider 140.

FIG. 5 illustrates a set of steps for assembling an embodiment of atemple cover subassembly 500. First, an adhesive (not shown) is appliedto rubber strip 205. Although strip 205 is referred to herein as arubber strip, one of skill in the art will recognize that strip 205 maybe made from any elastic or semi-elastic material. Next, rubber strip205 is applied to ramped surface 510 of temple cover 110. Next, wheel130 of slider subassembly 295 is inserted into corresponding slot 520 oftemple cover 110. Friction between rubber strip 205 and wheel 130 allowswheel 130 to rotate around axle 280 while translating within templecover 110.

FIG. 6 illustrates a set of steps for assembling compression armsubassembly 263, according to an embodiment of the present invention.First, backing 260 is placed onto compression arm 270. Next backing 260is laser welded to compression arm 270.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate a set of steps for assembling an embodiment of atemple chassis subassembly. Beginning with FIG. 7, spacer block 290 isplaced onto temple chassis 120. Next, spacer block 290 is welded ontotemple chassis 120 along edges 710 and 720. Next, hinge block 250 isplaced onto temple chassis 120. Next, hinge block 250 is welded ontotemple chassis 120 along edges 730 and 740. The temple chassissubassembly continues with FIG. 8, which illustrates a second set ofsteps for assembling an embodiment of temple chassis subassembly 800. Abacking (not shown) may be removed from tape 810 on both sides ofreservoir 150. Reservoir 150 is placed against temple chassis 120.Compression arm 270 is then placed onto spacer block 290. Compressionarm 270 is then welded onto spacer block 290.

FIG. 9 illustrates a set of steps for assembling temple subassembly 900,according to an embodiment. First, tabs 920 of temple chassissubassembly 800 are slid into rear slot 930 of temple cover 110. Next,temple chassis subassembly 800 is rotated within temple cover 110 untilit snaps into place. It is recommended that slider subassembly 295 bepositioned as far distally as possible within temple cover 110. Further,it is recommended that when snapping temple chassis subassembly 800 intotemple cover 110, tube 940 does not become pinched between hinge block250 and temple cover 110 or temple chassis subassembly 800.

FIG. 10 illustrates a set of steps for assembling lens modulesubassembly 1000, according to an embodiment. First, a suitable piece of2-sided tape 1010 is applied on an outward facing side of reservoir 150.This process is repeated for the opposite side of reservoir 150. Thebacking of tape 1010 is then removed when lens module subassembly 1000is in position within caliper actuator assembly 100.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of caliperactuator assembly 100. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of caliper actuatorassembly 100. FIG. 13 shows additional views of an embodiment of caliperactuator assembly 100. FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of caliper actuatorassembly 100 with a portion of temple cover 110 removed to show templechassis subassembly 800.

FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a caliper actuatorassembly, showing the rotation of the wheel with respect to the templecover.

FIG. 16 shows charts with data corresponding to breadboard actuatorperformance for an embodiment. The charts show the changes in opticalpower of a fluid lens module connected to a reservoir in contact with anactuator, according to an embodiment. The charts show optical power atthe optical center of the exemplary lens as a function of the positionof the wheel within the slot with respect to diopter readings S, C, andD+0.5C. The linearity in response demonstrates that a wearer of anembodiment of the fluid-filled lenses will be able to achieve thedesired level of correction by adjusting the location of the wheelwithin the slot.

FIGS. 17 a and 17 b illustrate two embodiments of caliper actuatorassemblies wherein the position of slider block 255 is changed in orderto shorten the length of the lever arm. FIG. 18 shows charts with datacorresponding to breadboard actuator performance between the embodimentsof FIGS. 17 a and 17 b. The charts show the reversibility of opticalpower in an exemplary fluid lens module with respect to diopter readingsS, C, and D+0.5C. The data shows that while the changes in optical powerare reversible, the rate of change is variable, and depends on theinitial location of the wheel within the slot. This data indicates thatreversibility of the fluid lens module is improved with increasedstiffness of the compression arm. However, as would be apparent to onehaving ordinary skill in the art, less stiff compression arms may alsohave beneficial properties.

Additional embodiments of actuators will now be described. Similarly tothe caliper actuator embodiments described above, each of the followingactuator embodiments serve to compress a reservoir located in one ormore temples of a fluid-filled lens assembly in order to adjust theoptical power of a fluid-filled lens.

FIG. 19 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of roll and translateactuator 1900 with vertical compression of reservoir 1930. Roll andtranslate actuator 1900 includes wheel 1910, slider 1920, reservoir1930, and temple chassis 1940. In roll and translate actuator 1900,wheel 1910 translates along track 1960. Slider 1920 slides with wheel1910 and compresses reservoir 1930 against temple chassis ceiling 1950of temple chassis 1940. FIG. 19 b illustrates a top view of the roll andtranslate actuator of FIG. 19 a. FIG. 19 c illustrates a side view ofthe roll and translate actuator of FIG. 19 a when compressed.

FIG. 20 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of roll and translateactuator 2000 with horizontal compression of reservoir 2030. Roll andtranslate actuator 2000 includes wheel 2010, slider 2020, reservoir2030, and temple chassis 2040. In roll and translate actuator 2000,wheel 2010 translates along temple chassis 2040. Slider 2020 slides withwheel 2010 and compresses reservoir 2030 against a vertical inner sidesurface 2050 of temple chassis 2040. In an embodiment, slider 2020includes a wedge 2060 to facilitate the horizontal compression ofreservoir 2030. FIG. 20 b illustrates a top view of the roll andtranslate actuator of FIG. 20 a. FIG. 20 c illustrates a side view ofthe roll and translate actuator of FIG. 20 c when compressed.

FIG. 21 a is a side perspective view of reservoir 2030 of FIG. 20 a.FIG. 21 b illustrates a front view of reservoir 2030 of FIG. 20 a. FIG.21 c illustrates a front view of reservoir 2030 when horizontallycompressed.

FIG. 22 a illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a rack and pinionactuator assembly 2200, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Rack and pinion actuator assembly 2200 includes slider bar2270, rack portion 2210 of slider bar 2270, pinion 2220, wheel 2230,temple cover 2240, and reservoir 2260. Wheel 2230 and pinion 2220 arecoupled together so that when wheel 2230 is rotated, pinion 2220 is alsorotated. Teeth 2225 of pinion 2220 engage with teeth 2215 of rackportion 2210 of slider bar 2270. As a result, when wheel 2230 isrotated, slider bar 2270 moves to compress reservoir 2260 against templechassis ceiling 2255 of temple chassis 2250. FIG. 22 b illustrates aside view of the rack and pinion actuator assembly of FIG. 22 a whencompressed.

FIG. 23 a-c and 24 illustrate an embodiment of rack and pinion actuatorassembly 2300 with horizontal compression of reservoir 2360. FIG. 23 aillustrates a side view of rack and pinion actuator assembly 2300. Wheel2330 and pinion 2320 are coupled together so that when wheel 2330 isrotated, pinion 2320 is also rotated. Teeth 2325 of pinion 2320 engagewith teeth 2310 of slider bar 2370. When wheel 2330 of rack and pinionactuator assembly 2300 is rotated, slider bar 2370 compresses reservoir2360 against a vertical inner side surface 2340 of temple chassis 2350.In an embodiment, slider bar 2370 includes a wedge 2380 to facilitatethe horizontal compression of reservoir 2030. FIG. 23 b illustrates atop view of the rack and pinion actuator assembly of FIG. 23 a. FIG. 23c illustrates a side view of the rack and pinion actuator assembly ofFIG. 23 a when compressed.

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of rackand pinion actuator assembly 2400. When wheel 2430 of rack and pinionactuator assembly 2400 is rotated, slider bar 2470 pushes stiff plate2490. Reservoir 2460 is placed between stiff plate 2490 and inner wall2410 of temple cover 2440 so that reservoir 2460 is compressed whenwheel 2430 is rotated.

FIG. 25 shows an embodiment of a rack and pinion actuator assembly. FIG.26 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a temple including a rackand pinion actuator showing the rotation of the wheel relative to thetemple cover, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 27 a illustrates a side view of screw actuator assembly 2700 withvertical compression of reservoir 2740. Slider bar 2710 works in asimilar way to the slider bars of previous embodiments. However, insteadof a rack and pinion or other arrangement, screw actuator assembly 2700provides for a worm gear arrangement between screw 2720 and slider bar2710. When screw 2720 is rotated by rotation of dial 2730 by a user,slider bar 2710 moves to compress reservoir 2740 against temple chassisceiling 2750 of temple chassis 2760. FIG. 27 b illustrates a side viewof the screw actuator assembly of FIG. 27 a when compressed.

FIG. 28 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of rotation actuatorassembly 2800 with a pulley-type track 2810 with vertical compression ofreservoir 2860. Slider bar 2820 works in a similar way to the sliderbars of previous embodiments, except it is adhered to track 2810. Whenwheel 2830 is rotated, it moves track 2810 around pulleys 2840 and 2850.When track 2810 moves around pulleys 2840 and 2850, slider bar 2820moves to compress reservoir 2860 against temple chassis ceiling 2880 oftemple chassis 2870. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28 a, slider bar2820 is configured to bend around pulley 2850. FIG. 28 b is a view ofthe screw actuator assembly along line A of FIG. 28 a.

FIG. 29 a illustrates a side view of an embodiment of slide andtranslate actuator 2900 with horizontal compression of its reservoir(not shown). When slider button 2910 is translated along temple arm2920, the slider bar (not shown) moves to compress the reservoir againstthe temple chassis. FIG. 29 b is a sectional view of the actuatorassembly along an axis of temple arm 2920. Specifically, FIG. 29 b is asectional view of the slider compressing the reservoir as it translatesalong the axis of the temple arm.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form anddetail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present inventionshould not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to thescope of the present invention in any way.

What is claimed is:
 1. An actuator for a sealed fluid-filled lenscomprising: a housing; a reservoir disposed within the housing; and acompression arm having a first end that is fixed and a second end thatis not fixed, wherein the compression arm is disposed adjacent to thereservoir, and wherein the compression arm flexes to compress thereservoir.
 2. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises atemple chassis and temple cover.
 3. The actuator of claim 1, wherein thecompression arm compresses the reservoir against a vertical surface ofthe housing.
 4. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the compression armcompresses the reservoir against a horizontal surface of the housing. 5.The actuator of claim 1, wherein the first end of the compression arm isdistal to a fluid lens attached to the actuator.
 6. The actuator ofclaim 5, wherein the reservoir is fluidly connected to the fluid lens,and wherein compressing the reservoir delivers fluid to the fluid lensso as to change the optical power of the fluid lens.
 7. A fluid lensassembly, comprising: a fluid lens including: a front rigid lens, and aninflatable semi-flexible membrane attached to the front rigid lens andhaving a fluid layer therebetween; a temple cover housing; and anactuator including: a reservoir disposed within the temple coverhousing, the reservoir being fluidly connected to the fluid lens, and acompression arm having a first end that is fixed at a pivot point and asecond end that is not fixed, wherein the compression arm is disposedadjacent to the reservoir, and wherein the compression arm flexes tocompress the reservoir.
 8. The actuator of claim 7, wherein thecompression arm compresses the reservoir against a vertical surface ofthe housing.
 9. The actuator of claim 7, wherein the compression armcompresses the reservoir against a horizontal surface of the housing.10. The actuator of claim 7, wherein the first end of the compressionarm is distal to a fluid lens attached to the actuator.
 11. The actuatorof claim 7, wherein compressing the reservoir delivers fluid to thefluid lens so as to change the optical power of the fluid lens.